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Things to do in Morgan County

Posted:
09/12/2016 06:22:34 PM MDT

Two Apex Shredding Inc. employees, left, and Morgan Federal Bank Marketing Director Tricia Anderson, right, help Fort Morgan resident Shawna Meyer empty several bags and file boxes of old papers into the trash can for shredding at one of the banks previous community shred events in 2015. The second one for 2016 will happen from 3 to 5 this afternoon in the bank's parking lot in Fort Morgan. (Jenni Grubbs / Fort Morgan Times file photo)

Community shred event is today in FM

Morgan Federal Bank and APEX Shredding Inc. are hosting a community shred event today, Sept. 13, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Morgan Federal Bank parking lot, 321 Ensign St. in Fort Morgan. This event will benefit United Way of Morgan County. All donations are greatly appreciated (please consider donating around $5 per box) and will go directly to United Way.

Shredding sensitive documents helps to minimize your risk of identity theft and fraud. Bring old documents (such as old tax returns, medical records, old bank statements, etc.) to Morgan Federal Bank and have them safely and securely shredded by APEX Shredding, a bonded and professional information destruction company. Morgan Federal Bank hosts a shredding event twice a year that is open to individuals and businesses in the community and supports a local charity.

Colorado author Rex Olsen at Brown Bag today in FM

The September installment of the Brown Bag Lunch at Fort Morgan Library & Museum will feature Colorado author Rex Olsen as the speaker. The program will start at noon Sept. 13 in the newly renamed Howard Rollin Community Room at the library/museum.

Olsen grew up on a remote Colorado cattle ranch without indoor plumbing, electricity or telephone. He made his way to executive positions, but he never lost his love of the land.

As an author, Olsen writes to connect with readers, sharing what is important to him through biography, fiction and poetry.

The Brown Bag Lunch program is free and open to the general public of all ages. It is held regularly on the second Tuesday of the month at noon.

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Meet and Eat calendar for Sept. 13 to 16

Here is the menu for the Fort Morgan and Brush Meet and Eat sites from Tuesday, Sept. 13, to Friday, Sept. 16. For Fort Morgan, call 970-380-9744 or 970-867-4667 by 8 p.m. the night before for reservations. For the Fort Morgan Housing Authority meal site, call 970-542-0757 by 8 p.m. the night before for reservations. If you must cancel your meal, please do so by 8 a.m. the day of the meal. For the Brush site, call 970-8424740 by 8 a.m. the day of the meal.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has the following area road closures and projects ongoing through Sept. 16:

• Interstate 76 eastbound/westbound between Fort Morgan and Brush, milemarkers 85 to 108, through September. 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with various lane closures and reduced speeds for general maintenance work.

• Interstate 76 eastbound/westbound between Brush and Sterling, milemarkers 108 to 145, through September. 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with various single-lane closures and speed reduction for pothole patching.

• U.S. Highway 34 eastbound/westbound east of Greeley, milemarkers 114 to 116, though November. Work is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Tuesday. East and westbound shoulder with turn lane or center median closure or permanent flood repair.

• U.S. Highway 6 eastbound/westbound from Sterling to Merino, milemarkers 389 to 403, though September. Work is from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with single-lane closures for pothole patching as needed.

• U.S. Highway 6J from Sterling to Galien, milemarkers 406 to 445.6, through September. Work is from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday for patching with alternating lane closures. Info: Jerold.wagoner@state.co.us.

• State Highway 71 northbound/southbound at 71F near Snyder, milemarkers 181.87 to 201.63, through September. Work is from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday with single-lane closures between state Highway 14 and County Road 102 for hand patching.

Brush People's Market is Wednesday nights

The new and improved Brush People's Market (formerly Brush Chamber Farmers Market) is ongoing Wednesday nights in East Morgan County Library Park.

From 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays through Oct. 12, vendors will set up tables and booths in the park and offer their produce, homemade goods, home-based business products and other wares. There will be plenty of shade and grassy areas, and maybe even some live music.

The program is free and open to the public for anyone interested in learning more about Alzheimer's disease.

After School Lounge Tuesday, Thursdays at EMCL

Every Tuesday and Thursday, East Morgan County Library will open its Activity Room at 3 p.m. for the After School Lounge.

Teens and kids will be able to get on laptops, bring their own devices and use Wi-Fi, do homework, play games or just hang out. Snacks may also be brought and eaten in the activity room or outside.

Alumni of the Plains contest nominations due Thursday

Progressive 15's Alumni of the Plains contest is seeking nominations for the annual awards program.

This award is given to individuals who graduated from high school in one of the Progressive 15 counties and have excelled in their profession and / or have given back to the area. The award is presented at the Progressive 15 Fall Conference in October.

Check out the website at www.progressive15.org to see previous inductees. Nomination forms are due by this Thursday, Sept. 15.

Fall Harvest Car Show is Friday through Sunday

Plans are being finalized for the 16th annual Fall Harvest Car Show to be held Sept. 16 through 18 in downtown Fort Morgan. Cars from four states have pre-registered, including a vintage fire truck. As in the years past, the committee tries to limit vendors to car-related items and food but there is still room for more vendors with a special low rate for non-profits.

While the committee is expecting the usual mix of classic cars, this year they are dedicating a section to classic tractors and farm implements. All and any vehicles, including motorcycles and boats, have always been welcome to participate in this popular event, but a group of classic tractor owners approached the committee and anticipate at least two dozen tractors entering. And while the tractors may not want to participate in the Poker Run planned by the members of the Sunrise Optimist Club, the run is open to all street legal vehicles on Sunday morning starting at 8:30 a.m. from the high school parking lot.

Free music concerts are planned in the Dahms-Talton Band Shell in City Park on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. The Atomic Drifters will be featured both nights. Grab a lawn chair and come enjoy the concerts while classic vehicles cruise Main.

Dave Cornwell, co-president of the committee, reminds everyone to pre-register if possible, but everyone is welcome until the last vehicle is parked around 10 a.m. Saturday. Classic tractor owners are encouraged to participate this year. Call 970-867-7469 for more information, email fmfallharvestcarshow@gmail.com or check the website at www.fallharvestcarshow.org.

Armory Rec Center closed Saturday

Fort Morgan's Armory Recreation Center will be closed Saturday, Sept. 17, during the annual Fall Harvest Car Show, which takes place this weekend.

Normally, the Armory would be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, but it will not open this Saturday. The car show will be using State Street for staging and displays, limiting access and parking for the rec center, according to the city. Info: Call the Armory at 970-542-3921.

There will be a 5K run/walk, a 1-mile fun run, a 2K walk and a kiddie run. All Trinity Trot event registration fees benefit Trinity Lutheran School and Little Lambs Early Learning Center. Afterward, there will be a free-will meal offering.

Safe Sitter class Saturday in FM

Morgan County Safe Sitter is looking to hold a last-minute class on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The group has seven books from previous classes, according to organizers, so to use them an additional class will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Life Fellowship in Fort Morgan as long as at least five people sign up.

Anyone who would like their 11- to 15-year-old to learn safe baby-sitting habits, CPR, choking rescue, and how to handle emergencies should call Phoebe at 970-768-4567. This class will be first-come, first-serve until all seven available seats are filled. Kids need to bring a lunch, water bottle and $40 with them to Life Fellowship at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Meal, dance Saturday night to celebrate Leon Witham's 99th birthday

The public is welcome to help Morgan County veteran Leon Witham celebrate his 99th birthday Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Fort Morgan American Legion Hall, 16913 Morgan County Road 17.7 (Nelson Road).

Starting at 5 p.m., there will be a Sloppy Joes meal and then a dance will follow with music provided by Dick Hoke. Info: Betty Herman at 970-370-1227.

Wylie & The Wild West concert Sunday in FM

The Morgan County Concert Association will kick off its new season Sunday, Sept. 18, with a 3 p.m. show by Wylie & The Wild West in the Glenn Miller Auditorium at Fort Morgan High School.

This four-person show will include cowboy/Western standards and originals, along with some yodeling by the performers from Montana. The concert promises to be "good clean family entertainment," according to MCCA.

The concert is included in MCCA membership, but individual tickets also will be available at the door. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for students, and 5 and under is free.

Other future concerts include: A Band Called Honalee playing 1960s folk Nov. 13; Acoustic Eidolon with Gitjo, cello and vocals on Feb. 28, 2017; Piano Conversations with Julian Gargiulo on March 28, 2017; and New Odyssey, featuring three guys and 30 instruments on April 27, 2017.

Those with MCCA memberships also get into concerts in Holyoke, Loveland, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Kimball, Nebraska. The association continues to seek members. Info: Jodie Schoemaker at 970-867-9550 or Emma Jorgenson at 970-867-5996.

Rockies game trip for seniors Sept. 21

The Fort Morgan Recreation Department is sponsoring a trip for senior citizens to Coors Field for a game between the Colorado Rockies and the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 21. Seniors can go on the trip for the bargain price of $10, which includes a ticket to the game and round-trip bus transportation.

The trip is for seniors and those who accompany them, and the deadline to register is Monday, Sept. 19. Seating is limited so reserve a spot quickly, warns the city.

The bus will leave the Fort Morgan Senior Center at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 21, and it is expected to return to Fort Morgan about 6 p.m. The opening pitch of the Rockies game will be at 1:10 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.cityoffortmorgan.com/recreation, at the Recreation Center (528 State St.) or at the Senior Center (110 Sherman St). For more information, call 970-542-3921 or 970-542-3922.

Community Resource Showcase set for Sept. 22 at MCC

The Eastern Region/Morgan County Youth Council will host a Community Resource Showcase from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, in Fort Morgan at Morgan Community College in the Founder's Room.

The event will be a chance for people to find out what free or low-cost services are available to Morgan County youth and their families. Stop by, visit a table and get information from dozens of local resources from agencies that assist with a variety of needs from mental health services to subsidized day care services, immigrant worker services, sexual assault, cultural integration, job seeking help, special education services and many more.

The Yuma Arts Association is looking for artists to submit their photographs, paintings, sculptures, drawings and beautiful or interesting things made from wood, paper, metal, bone, fibers, clay or found items for possible inclusion in the Yuma Art Show and Sale to be held Sept. 30 to Oct. 6 at the First Presbyterian Church in Yuma.

Artists of all ages are welcome to submit their creations to the show, which will be judged by Monica King and Maureen Hearty. Rik Chance will be the featured artist at the show.

For more information and submission entry forms, call Gail Ardueser at 970-848-2393.

Eben Ezer Auxiliary's Fall Festival set for Sept. 24 in Brush

The Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center Auxiliary will host its annual Fall Festival from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Carroll Building in Brush.

There will be fall crafts and a wide variety of baked goods and food items available at the festival, including: cabbage pockets, breakfast burritos, green chili, beef burritos, homemade salsa and Scandinavian pastries. Coffee will be free.

Call 970-842-2861 ext. 246 to pre-order cabbage pockets or burritos, and then pick them up at the festival.

Oktoberfest, Car/Motorcycle Show is Sept. 23-24 in Brush

The 34th annual Oktoberfest and Car and Motorcycle Show will happen Sept. 23 and 24 in Brush, with events happening on the 100 block of Clayton Street.

On Friday, Sept. 23, Oktoberfest events start at 6:30 p.m. with a Cruise-In on the 100 block of Clayton Street, along with music and food free for registered participants, or $3 for everyone else.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, there will be: a Dog Show Contest at 10 a.m. with awards at 10:30 a.m.; live local entertainment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the Main Street Festival with food, crafts and games from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Car/Motorcycle Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; a beer garden from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and a live polka band playing from 7 to 11 p.m. under the beer tent.

Some of the day's other activities include: kids games, Oktoberfest entertainment dancers, craft booths, food booths, sidewalk chalk drawings, and much more for all ages. German apparel strongly encouraged to wear. Lederhosen, dirndl dresses, German hats, pins, T-shirts, etc.

This year's version of the annual Morgan County Sneaker Stroll will also be a Glow Run 5K, with all events benefiting Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

According to organizers, "the Glow Run 5k is not just for runners. Walk it, roll it, heck you can even cartwheel it ...we don't care... Just do it!"

It all starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at The Course at Petteys Park in Brush. There will be games and activities first, and then the 5K Glow Race starts at 7:30 p.m. The Morgan County Sneaker Stroll in an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of Type 1 Diabetes in Northeastern Colorado and to raising much needed funds for the JDRF — the world's largest charitable funder of Type 1 Diabetes research.

The Food Bank of the Rockies mobile pantry truck will make its next monthly visit to Morgan County on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

The pantry truck stops at the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Brush from 10 a.m. to noon, and food assistance is provided for those seeking it. Provide your own bags or boxes.

Info: Lisa Northrup at 970-768-4262.

"CCC Songs" program Sept. 28 in FM

The "CCC" or Civilian Conservation Corp created jobs for people during the Great Depression. Jobs were created for people building public works projects. On Sept. 28, Bill Jamerson will present a program called "CCC Songs" at Fort Morgan Library & Museum.

The CCC was part of the New Deal in America. One nearby CCC project is a lighthouse located in Nebraska at Lake Minatare. It is a lighthouse of the type one would expect to see in Maine. The structure is one of only seven inland lighthouses in the United States. And this is only one of the many projects built by the CCC.

Starting at 2 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Community Room, a dressed in uniform Jamerson will share stories about the CCC, reads excerpts from his book, show a video clip from his PBS film and sing original songs with his guitar.

"It's a nostalgic, fun-filled program with songs, laughter and many heartfelt stories," said Library/Museum Technology Coordinator Lanny Page.

FM Museum exhibit looks at one-room schoolhouse history

A new exhibit at Fort Morgan Museum offers a glimpse of the important history of one-room schoolhouses in Morgan County. "The One Room Schoolhouse - Morgan County, CO" runs through Dec. 31 in the museum's Lower Level Gallery.

This exhibit preserves the one-room school story before it vanishes forever. Once there were more than 100 schools spread across the prairies of Morgan County; now few remain, and most of them are in advanced stages of disrepair.

The show was created by Thelma Downing (research, history and fieldwork) and David Roberts (research, fieldwork and photography). The exhibit includes photographs of schoolhouse sites, accompanied by Google Earth images of each location.

These schoolhouses were often products of the homesteading era, when federal lands were opened. The farmers and ranchers who came to stake their claim all wanted their children to be educated. One-room schools, usually built by the community, were constructed every 2 to 4 miles. Generally, one teacher was hired to instruct grades one through eight. For over 75 years, these schools provided education to Morgan County's youth.

Using a mixture of past and present photographs, the exhibit is a comprehensive study of the one-room schoolhouse through the microcosm of Morgan County.

State offering Library Card Sign-Up photo contest

In partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Colorado State Library has launched a Library Card Sign-up photo contest that runs now through Sept. 19.

The contest requires participants to visit Colorado's 42 state parks and document the visit by posting a selfie or group photo on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag: #CheckOutColorado. Once made public, the person who posted the photo is automatically entered to win a picnic basket and an adventure backpack full of educational items. The drawing will take place Sept. 20.

The social media photo contest is a part of the American Library Association's Library Card Sign-up Month during September. The state hopes the contest will highlight the importance of both state parks and libraries throughout Colorado.

"This photo contest is a fun way to highlight the many ways our parks are being used. Colorado residents should use their library cards, or get one during Library Card Sign-up Month, and contribute photos," said Eugene Hainer, State Library assistant commissioner.

The partnership launched the Check Out Colorado State Parks program to allow anyone with a library card to check out a state park pass and nature backpack from any participating public, military or college libraries, which includes Morgan Community College. The library card holder may use the pass for one week to visit any of Colorado's designated state parks.

To celebrate National Library Month, East Morgan County Library District is offering library patrons free library card replacement and overdue books fine forgiveness in September.

So if you have lost your card, stop in sometime in September for your choice of a library card with a key fob card or just a regular library card with no cost for the replacement. More info: 970-842-4596.

FM advisory boards seeking members

The City of Fort Morgan is actively seeking applicants to fill vacancies on a number of different citizen advisory boards. Openings are currently available on the city's Planning Commission, Airport Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Golf Course Advisory Board and Historic Preservation Board.

In most cases applicants must be residents of the City of Fort Morgan, and most board terms are for three years. Call the City Clerk's Office at 970-542-3962 to find out about the requirements for specific boards.

A new program at the Fort Morgan Public Library offers patrons the chance to study Colorado driver's license manuals online and take practice written tests in preparation for the real state exams.

The new service includes free practice tests, specifically based on Colorado DMV materials. It is offered through a new partnership with Driving-Tests.org, a nationwide site for driver's license practice tests.

The site is designed to help new drivers study state manuals and take practice tests based on real DMV written exams for obtaining a driver's license. The specialized practice exams are designed to turn new drivers into safer drivers. Many of the exams are also available in Spanish. The new program will be helpful for teens, people with disabilities, those who participate in the library's programs for seniors and need to take a renewal exam, and patrons at every other stage of life.

To find the driver's tests, simply visit the Library page on the city's website at www.cityoffortmorgan.com/library. On the right side of the library web page, under "Quick Links," you will find the link for "Free Drivers Ed Program." Info: Contact the library staff at 970-542-4000.

Al-Anon offers hope for families and friends of alcoholics

Many people of all ages suffer from the affects of alcoholism, especially the loved ones. Family and friends of alcoholics usually blame themselves for the turmoil in their lives, and they often are unaware of how someone else's drinking affects them. It can cause depression, anger, frustration and despair; it often seems as though there is no hope. This can go on from generation to generation unless the pattern in interrupted.

But if you or someone you know is affected by a loved one's drinking, there is help and hope. Al-Anon is a fellowship of family and friends of alcoholics. By sharing their experience, strength and hope, participants can help aid each other in the recovery from the affects of alcoholism.

Meetings are anonymous and cost nothing. In Fort Morgan, regular Al-Anon meetings are held at the United Way building at 106 E. Kiowa three times a week. On Tuesdays and Fridays, they are from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday meetings are from 9 to 10 a.m.

MOPs meets on Friday mornings

The Morgan County Mothers of Preschoolers group has kicked off a new season and will meet weekly through May, with sessions starting at 9:30 a.m. on Fridays at Life Fellowship in Fort Morgan.

All women with children under age 6 are welcome to come and join in at MOPs meetings. Child-care is provided for ages 6 months to 6 years.

Next Free Legal Clinic is today in FM

The next monthly Free Legal Clinic is set for 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Fort Morgan Public Library. It is open to parties with no attorney.

Volunteer attorneys, by computer, will answer questions, help fill out forms and explain the process and procedure for all areas of civil litigation, including family law, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law, small claims, veteran's issues and civil protection orders.

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